Inspector’s blog: Huntingdon will benefit from Pubwatch

Ian Ford is sector inspector of the Huntingdon area for Cambridgeshire Police. He will be giving regular updates on activities in and around the town.

On Thursday, September 8, I attended the latest Huntingdon Town Pubwatch meeting.

I was heartened to see so many licensees and other local partners including CCTV, Huntingdonshire District Council’s licensing department and Huntingdon Business Against Crime (HBAC) around the table, all with the same aim of making Huntingdon town a safer place to visit and enjoy during the evening.

In total there are 11 premises currently signed up to the scheme, although we are looking to widen this out to other premises in Godmanchester.

They have been provided radios in which they can talk to each other, CCTV and police officers. The radios are really useful in quickly warning other members of potential problem customers and also summoning assistance if they should require it.

During the business of the meeting four local males were jointly banned from all of the member premises due to their previous violent and anti-social behaviour in Huntingdon town centre. The four individuals have been sent banning letters which will come into immediate effect.

The decision to ban individuals rests with the licensees only, although the partner agencies, including the police will support premises in the process.

Cambridgeshire Police will also continue to put extra patrols out in the town centre at key times to provide reassurance and deal robustly with those few individuals who are intent on causing problems.

Overall, violent crime offences have decreased by over 20 per cent in Huntingdon this year compared with the same period in 2010. Much of this reduction is linked to the night-time economy and hopefully residents and businesses alike will begin to see a real benefit as a direct result.

If you have information about any crime please contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0345 456 456 4 or you can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you wish to learn more about your local policing team or receive regular e-mail updates via E-cops visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website at www.cambs.police.uk